Before 4th Gen came out. All Electric, Water, Fire, Dragon, and Psychic Type moves were considered special. This is why many people preferred Hitmonlee over Hitmonchan. By the time Hitmonchan was even useful, other Pokemon from 4th gen trumped over him.

i always figured that special attacks were the ones that didn't make contact, i.e surf, razor leaf.
and physical were ones that did make contact...wasn't it like in gen 2 forward?
if so, not all of one type of move could be considered special